JOAN CARPENTER (NEE BAIR)

It is with sadness and relief that Joan’s family announces that after a 7-year battle against the ravages of Alzheimer's disease, she left this earth to join her parents, sister and others who have predeceased her. Joan’s Pennsylvania Dutch heritage caused her to fight tenaciously to hang onto life. She left us peacefully on September 7th in Langley Gardens Care Home in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. She lived in British Columbia with her husband Bill for the past 35 years. She was a wonderful soul who was liked by everyone who knew her. She had a great sense of humor and loved people. She always smiled warmly and was a great ambassador for the United States.

Joan Lucille Bair was born to John and Stella Bair in Penn Township, Berks County, PA on May 9th, 1941. She was the third of four children. Fern was the eldest, next Barbara, Joan and then Ronald. Joan was an attractive woman who some thought resembled Bette Davis. She was active in her church, played piano and sang in the church choir. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, a great cook, and a loyal and faithful wife to Bill. Bill loved Joan very much and her passing will leave a void in his life.

Joan was previously married to Dale Schlenker with whom she had two children, Scott, and Peter. Scott is married to Andrea. Peter is married to Melissa. Between them, they gifted Joan with 5 wonderful grandchildren; Kirah, Darian, Cole, Leah, and Skye, all of whom Joan loved very much. Peter, Melissa, and Darian recently visited Joan in Canada. Her rapid decline started two days after they returned to the USA. Some believe she held off to see them.

When Joan married Bill in 1988, she became the stepmother of Bill’s children; Kenneth, Lucy and Robert who lived with them. She was a great mother to them, strict but loving and kind. She also helped Bill when his other son Jeffrey from a previous marriage came to visit. Bill’s children all loved and respected Joan. Joan loved them in return including their children, Kayla, Hanah, Haris, Katherine, and Gabriella. She was a cherished grandmother (nana), a great role model who never missed a birthday, and loved to spend time playing games, baking, and teaching her precious grandchildren.

Joan graduated from Schuylkill Valley High School, Leesport PA.  She is also a graduate of the Reading Hospital School of Nursing where she received the degree of Registered Nurse. She was the head nurse in the skilled unit at the Laurel Living Center in Hamburg. She was affectionately called Sergeant Schlenker because of her strict but fair discipline with the nursing staff. Joan was active in her church and community. She was the chairperson of the Hamburg Junior Women’s Club. She also worked as a payroll clerk for many years in Bill’s business in Vancouver. She was a special human being, and her legacy will live on in the many hearts and minds she touched.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held both in Langley, BC, Canada (United Churches of Langley/Murrayville Site, 21562 Old Yale Road)...and in Leesport, PA, date to be determined. Her cremains will be buried with her parents in the Bern Cemetery. Donations can be made in Joan’s name to your local Alzheimer's organizations. May she be at peace and her soul rest safely in God’s hands.

"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."...by Helen Keller.

"You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived."...a line from a David Hawkins poem.

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